The longest day: Allies invade Normandy

"You are about to embark upon the great crusade toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you...I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle." — Ike

D-Day: General Dwight D, Eisenhower gives the order of the day "Full victory, Nothing Else" to paratroopers before they board their airplanes to participate in the first assault in the Allied invasion of France. less

D-Day: General Dwight D, Eisenhower gives the order of the day "Full victory, Nothing Else" to paratroopers before they board their airplanes to participate in the first assault in the Allied invasion of ... more

Photo: Popperfoto, Popperfoto/Getty Images

D-Day: General Dwight D, Eisenhower gives the order of the day... Photo-4747494.64030 - Beaumont Enterprise

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D-Day: Tanks used in the D-Day landings line up for embarkation.

D-Day: Tanks used in the D-Day landings line up for embarkation.

Photo: Popperfoto, Popperfoto/Getty Images

D-Day: Tanks used in the D-Day landings line up for embarkation. Photo-4747495.64030 - Beaumont Enterprise

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D-Day: A French armored column passing through the small French town of St Mere Eglise on D-Day, gets a warm welcome from the inhabitants.

D-Day: A French armored column passing through the small French town of St Mere Eglise on D-Day, gets a warm welcome from the inhabitants.

Photo: Popperfoto, Popperfoto/Getty Images

D-Day: A French armored column passing through the small French... Photo-4747496.64030 - Beaumont Enterprise

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D-Day: American troops arrive on a French beach on D-Day during the invasion of Europe.

D-Day: American troops arrive on a French beach on D-Day during the invasion of Europe.

Photo: Popperfoto, Popperfoto/Getty Images

D-Day: American troops arrive on a French beach on D-Day during the... Photo-4747498.64030 - Beaumont Enterprise

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D-Day: Gliders used in the D-Day landings are pictured where they landed in France.

D-Day: Gliders used in the D-Day landings are pictured where they landed in France.

Photo: Popperfoto, Popperfoto/Getty Images

D-Day: Gliders used in the D-Day landings are pictured where they... Photo-4747499.64030 - Beaumont Enterprise

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D-Day: Troops from the 48th Royal Marines at Saint-Aubin-sur-mer on Juno Beach, Normandy, France, during the D-Day landings.

D-Day: Troops from the 48th Royal Marines at Saint-Aubin-sur-mer on Juno Beach, Normandy, France, during the D-Day landings.

D-Day: Arrival of the allied forces on the Coasts of Normandy. Photo-4747504.64030 - Beaumont Enterprise

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D-Day: US troops disembark from landing crafts during D-Day 06 June 1944 after Allied forces stormed the Normandy beaches. D-Day is still one of the world's most gut-wrenching and consequential battles, as the Allied landing in Normandy led to the liberation of France which marked the turning point in the Western theater of World War II. less

D-Day: US troops disembark from landing crafts during D-Day 06 June 1944 after Allied forces stormed the Normandy beaches. D-Day is still one of the world's most gut-wrenching and consequential battles, as the ... more

D-Day Plus One: Massive landing and deployment of US troops, supplies and equipment day after victorious D-Day action on Omaha Beach, barrage balloons keep watch overhead for German aircraft while scores of ships unload men & materials. less

D-Day Plus One: Massive landing and deployment of US troops, supplies and equipment day after victorious D-Day action on Omaha Beach, barrage balloons keep watch overhead for German aircraft while scores of ... more

D-Day Plus One: Bomber crews of the US Ninth Airforce leave their B26 Marauder aircraft after returning from a mission to support the D-Day landings in Normandy by disrupting German lines of communication and supply. less

D-Day Plus One: Bomber crews of the US Ninth Airforce leave their B26 Marauder aircraft after returning from a mission to support the D-Day landings in Normandy by disrupting German lines of communication and ... more

D-Day Plus Two: British soldiers cross the village of Douet, after the town of Bayeux fell, after Allied forces stormed the Normandy beaches. D-Day, 06 June 1944 is still one of the world's most gut-wrenching and consequential battles, as the Allied landing in Normandy led to the liberation of France which marked the turning point in the Western theater of World War II. less

D-Day Plus Two: British soldiers cross the village of Douet, after the town of Bayeux fell, after Allied forces stormed the Normandy beaches. D-Day, 06 June 1944 is still one of the world's most gut-wrenching ... more

D-Day Plus Two: Grim and determined, these American soldiers head towards the French coast as the American flag flies from the stern of their US Coast Guard landing barge as it speeds toward the invasion shore.

D-Day Plus Two: Grim and determined, these American soldiers head towards the French coast as the American flag flies from the stern of their US Coast Guard landing barge as it speeds toward the invasion shore.

20th June 1944: American soldiers rest in front of a rural grocery store after advancing inland from their D-Day invasion of Normandy, France,. A French citizen smiles from the doorway. The soldiers wears their helmets and uniforms, holding rifles. less

20th June 1944: American soldiers rest in front of a rural grocery store after advancing inland from their D-Day invasion of Normandy, France,. A French citizen smiles from the doorway. The soldiers wears ... more

Photo: R. Gates, Getty Images

20th June 1944: American soldiers rest in front of a rural grocery... Photo-4747514.64030 - Beaumont Enterprise

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7th July, 1944: Dazed German prisoners put their belongings into white sacks after being captured by American troops during the Allied push through Normandy following the D-Day invasion of France.

7th July, 1944: Dazed German prisoners put their belongings into white sacks after being captured by American troops during the Allied push through Normandy following the D-Day invasion of France.

9th August, 1944: American infantrymen take aim at sniper positions during the house-to-house fighting in Saint-Malo, two months after the allied troops landed on Normandy beaches (north-west of France), to come as reinforcements during the historic D-Day landings. less

9th August, 1944: American infantrymen take aim at sniper positions during the house-to-house fighting in Saint-Malo, two months after the allied troops landed on Normandy beaches (north-west of France), to ... more

10th June 1944: A wounded American soldier smiles and waves as he is carried on a stretcher by medics, while being transported to England from France during World War II. The soldier probably took part in the D-Day invasion of Normandy on June 6. less

10th June 1944: A wounded American soldier smiles and waves as he is carried on a stretcher by medics, while being transported to England from France during World War II. The soldier probably took part in the ... more

Photo: New York Times Co., Getty Images

10th June 1944: A wounded American soldier smiles and waves as he... Photo-4747517.64030 - Beaumont Enterprise

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14th December, 1944: The largest wooden aircraft in the world, is towed by four-engine bombers at 150 mpg, and weighs 16 tons fully laden. It typical loaded one tank, two Bren carriers, and a self-propelled Bofors gun or two armored scout cars, which can be in action within fifteen seconds of the glider coming to rest. less

14th December, 1944: The largest wooden aircraft in the world, is towed by four-engine bombers at 150 mpg, and weighs 16 tons fully laden. It typical loaded one tank, two Bren carriers, and a self-propelled ... more